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Florida’s Journey Towards Marine Spatial Planning

Photo Sources: Underwater Turbines – Center for Ocean & Energy Technology, Florida Atlantic University. Coral Reefs – Florida Keys National Marine Santuary, http://floridakeys.noaa.gov. Oil Rig – Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg Time at blogs.tampabay.com/energy/presidential_race/. Cruise Port – Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas arrives in Port Everglades.

Florida Ocean Alliance Board Members

David L. McDonald (Chair)

Florida Ports Council

Kumar Mahadevan, Ph.D. (Vice Chair) Mote Marine Laboratory

James F. Murley, Esq. (Treasurer)

Florida Atlantic University

Laura Geselbracht (Secretary) The Nature Conservancy

Andrew M. Clark, Ph.D.

Harris Corporation

Duane E. De Freese, Ph.D. AquaFiber Technologies Corporation

Eric Draper

Audubon Society

Karl E. Havens, Ph.D. Florida Sea Grant College Program

Elaine Heldewier Carnival Cruise Lines

Frank Herhold

Marine Industries Association of South Florida

Rob Kramer International Game Fish Association

J.B. Kump

Hubbs-‐Sea World Research Institute

R. Steven Lewis Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A.

George A. Maul, Ph.D.

Florida Institute of Technology

John Ogden, Ph.D. Florida Institute of Oceanography

Shirley Pomponi, Ph.D.

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution

Ellen Prager, Ph.D. Earth2Ocean, Inc.

Richard M. Pruitt

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Jerry Sansom Organized Fishermen of Florida

Lenore Alpert, Ph.D.

Executive Director Florida Ocean Alliance

The report is available at the Florida Ocean Alliance website:

http://www.floridaoceanalliance.org

Florida Ocean Alliance ~ June 2010 i

Acknowledgments

The Florida Ocean Alliance expresses gratitude to the following foundations for their generous support of this report: The Henry Foundation, The Moore Foundation, and The Mote Scientific Foundation. The Board of Directors of the Florida Ocean Alliance has guided the development and content of this report. The research effort was led by Dr. Lenore Alpert, Executive Director of the Florida Ocean Alliance, with key research assistance from Angela Grooms.

Florida Ocean Alliance ~ June 2010 ii

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................... 1 RECOMMENDATIONS .......................................................................................... 5 BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................... 6 FLORIDA OCEANS DAY 2010.............................................................................. 7 RATIONALE FOR MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING ........................................ 9 FEDERAL AND STATE ACTIVITIES ON OCEAN MANAGEMENT .......... 11 STATE ACTIVITY ON OCEAN MANAGEMENT ............................................ 12 Florida House of Representatives ......................................................... 12 Florida Senate ............................................................................................ 12 FEDERAL ACTIVITY ON OCEAN MANAGEMENT ...................................... 14 OTHER RELATED ACTIVITY ON MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING.......... 18 Florida Oceans and Coastal Council..................................................... 18 Regional Alliances ..................................................................................... 20 Gulf of Mexico Alliance ............................................................................ 21 Governors’ South Atlantic Alliance....................................................... 22 The Nature Conservancy ......................................................................... 22 The Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition ........................................... 23 Center for Ocean Energy Technology................................................... 23 Florida Coastal Ocean Observing System Consortium .................... 23 PRINCIPLES FOR OCEAN MANAGEMENT AND MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING ..................................................................................... 24 Principles for Florida ............................................................................... 25 APPENDICES ........................................................................................................ 26

Appendix A. Oceans Day Workshop Agenda ....................................... 27 Appendix B. Workshop Panelists........................................................... 28 Appendix C. Workshop Participants List ............................................ 31 Appendix D. Dr. Charles Ehler’s PowerPoint Presentation............ 34

Florida Ocean Alliance ~ June 2010 iii

FIGURES Figure 1. A Step-by-Step Approach to Marine Spatial Planning .......................... 10 Figure 2. Oyster Mapping and Monitoring in Apalachicola Bay........................... 17 Figure 3. Port Dolphin Location and Pipeline Illustration, Offshore Port Manatee........................................................................................ 19 MAPS Map 1. Gulf of Mexico Region.................................................................................. 21

Florida Ocean Alliance ~ June 2010 1

Introduction

The nation’s oceans are being overwhelmed with increasing demands and competing activities, ranging from renewable energy such as wind turbines to aquaculture, new activities that are vying for ocean spaces with more traditional uses of the oceans for fishing, recreational boating and shipping. These varied uses are “often incompatible not only with one another, but also with the need to protect what remains of fragile marine ecosystems.”1 As a result, governments are redesigning regulatory strategies to accommodate and coordinate multiples uses of oceans, relying on marine spatial planning.

As a response to these competing uses of the oceans, the message of this report and a longstanding position of the Florida Ocean Alliance (FOA) is that marine spatial planning is urgently needed in Florida. Ocean management is critical for the long term health of the state’s oceans, as a means for reconciling multiple uses while protecting ocean resources. Recent developments signal the beginning of state leadership and ownership for a marine spatial planning process for Florida. This is an essential prerequisite to prepare Florida for future policy discussions and potential changes in state policy on submerged lands and for proposed changes to federal submerged lands in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and mid and south Atlantic.

This report demonstrates the need for improved ocean governance and provides some detail on how it can be achieved. It addresses what Florida can do to better plan for multiple and potentially competing uses of its ocean and coastal resource assets. The focus is on balancing the economic value of Florida’s ocean and coastal resources with the use, management and conservation of its natural resources and with the current and future energy needs of the state.

The Florida Ocean Alliance is issuing this report on coastal and marine

spatial planning as a sequel to FOA’s earlier ocean management report published in summer 2009: “Moving Ahead: The Next Step in Ocean Management for Florida.”2 FOA has been involved for over two years in the study and discussion of ocean management for Florida. Two Oceans Day Workshops have been devoted to this topic, one in 2009 and the other in 2010. The 2009 report provided the background for understanding the case for ocean management in Florida waters as a national and global priority.

1 “A plan for the ocean.” Nature 465 (May 6, 2010) 9. 2 Moving Ahead: The Next Step in Ocean Management for Florida. (2009). Florida Ocean Alliance. Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Available at http://www.floridaoceanalliance.org. The term coastal and marine spatial planning is used interchangeably with marine spatial planning in this report.


Since the 2009 ocean management report, there have been several important developments at the state and federal level that have brought ocean management to the forefront of policymaking. At the state level, the Florida Senate has deliberated and held statewide meetings on oil/gas explorations off the State’s Gulf coast and authorized a draft report by the Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida that was issued in March, 2010.3 A second report was issued by the Florida Select Policy Council on Strategic and Economic Planning (House Select Council), Florida House of Representatives, in April 2010.4 Specifically, the House Select Council heard testimony from experts at a hearing on April 16, 2010, to determine whether to lift moratoria on state submerged lands for oil and gas drilling.

Testimony included a presentation on the study prepared for the House Select Council to assess the main risks to the state of oil and gas development in Florida’s coastal waters. Noteworthy is the number one recommendation from this risk reduction study: “Integrated maritime planning and management is critical to reducing risks from prospective oil and gas activities.”5

An oil drilling bill, following legislative

action during the 2009 legislative session, was discussed in the House of Representatives during the 2010 legislative session but deferred until the 2011 legislative session.6 The draft legislation would have removed the ban on leasing and permitting oil and gas exploration and production in Florida’s coastal waters. Lastly, the 2010 Florida Legislature funded the continuing development of web-based mapping of natural resources and ocean activities to aid the state and other interested parties in marine spatial planning. The appropriation of $250,000 will allow the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), in cooperation with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), to continue the collection, processing and posting of data on the web map application that is a helpful tool for marine spatial planning. Thus there have been a number of developments moving the state towards an initiative for a Florida Marine Spatial Plan.

3 Potential Impacts of Oil & Gas Exploration in the Gulf. (March 2010). Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida. The Collins Center, http://www.collinscenter.org/resource/resmgr/OilDrilling/oilHome.html. 4 Florida Select Policy Council on Strategic and Economic Planning, Florida House of Representatives, Florida Gulf Coast Oil and Gas Risk Assessment. Prepared by Willis Structured Risk Solutions, April 9, 2010. 5 Ibid., p. 6. 6 Draft Oil and Gas Bill, Florida House of Representatives, Introduced April 15, 2010.


Marine spatial planning is important to address Florida’s resource assets, stakeholder needs, potential stakeholder conflicts, risk assessments and emergency response actions for the state and its citizens. It is underscored by the oil drilling accident and spill on April 20, 2010, approximately 50 miles off Louisiana’s shores in the Gulf of Mexico. While the ultimate impact of the oil spill on public policy is unclear, it has drawn attention to the need for the state to prepare for dealing with unexpected events in the surrounding oceans. Coupled with Florida’s legislative activity that is moving parallel to the federal initiative to consider expansion of offshore oil and gas exploration in the mid and south Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, a sea change is underway in state and national policy that may significantly impact Florida’s oceans and coasts.

State activity follows the announcement by the Obama Administration in

March, 2010, of a new federal policy on expanding oil drilling, reversing 20 years of limited drilling along coastal areas other than the Gulf of Mexico. According to the President, ‘We’re announcing the expansion of offshore oil and gas exploration but in ways that balance the need to harness domestic energy resources and the need to protect America’s natural resources.’ The policy shift has signaled an economic transition for the nation, from an economy based on fossil fuels and foreign oil to one based on domestic fuels and clean energy.7

The new policy has raised concern among conservationists and environmental

groups and other users of the oceans, especially in light of the recent oil explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. Moreover, the recent oil spill has caused a federal halt to all new offshore drilling, pending an ‘adequate review’ of the massive 600 mile-wide oil slick off Louisiana’s coast. 8 If Congress allows federal drilling bans in the eastern Gulf of Mexico to expire in 2010 or later, then the state can expect new drilling activity off the Panhandle’s coasts, pursuant to the new policy. The state needs a Marine Spatial Plan to guide the prioritization of resources in state waters and to help direct activity in federal waters.

Also at the federal level, a draft report from the White House Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force was issued as a Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning in December, 2009. The report is expected to be finalized

7 AOL News. (March 31, 2010). Obama clears way for oil drilling off US coasts. Retrieved March 31, 2010 from http://www.aolnews.com/story/obama-‐clears-‐way-‐for-‐oil-‐drilling-‐off-‐us/970013?cid=10. 8 AOL News. (April 30, 2010). White House Declares Halt on New Offshore Drilling. Retrieved April 30, 2010 from http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/white-‐house-‐declares-‐half-‐on-‐new-‐offshire-‐drilling/19460060. See also the discussion on a new Presidential commission charged with determining the causes of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and making recommendations for new governmental safeguards, to be co-‐chaired by former Florida Governor and Senator Bob Graham: Baker, Peter. (May 23, 2010). Obama Gives a Bipartisan Commission Six Months to Revise Drilling Rules, New York Times, p. 16.


in 2010.9 This Task Force report follows the recommendations by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy in 2004, the Pew Oceans Commission in 2004 and the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative in 2007,10 whose reports urged the nation to review the process of managing the nation’s oceans.

Florida’s actions are consistent with the Administration’s interest in and

establishment of a task force to focus on marine spatial planning along the nation’s coasts. These decisions create an urgent need and economic opportunity for Florida. Florida’s ocean and coastal natural resources and industries are crucial to the state’s economy, growth and stability. With a coastal and ocean economy worth an estimated $562 billion,11 Florida has a historic opportunity and responsibility to take a leadership role in proactive ocean and coastal planning.

The federal government is beginning the process of allocating the right to use

federal resources offshore from Florida. However, this is being done without significant comment from the state or input from Florida’s citizens. History has shown that communication to and input from stakeholders early in policy development is critical to success. In this case, a very important and sensitive issue is at stake: how to balance the protection of Florida’s ocean resources with uses of its oceans to drive economic growth and provide for the energy needs of the state. A comprehensive statewide program is needed to take advantage of and prepare for the opportunities provided by activity at the federal level. Florida needs to gather and synthesize relevant information, involve stakeholders and formulate policy, with appropriate funding. The Florida Legislature’s appropriation of $250,000 is a step in that direction, although significantly more funding will be needed to complete the process.

9 White House Council on Environmental Quality. Interim Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning. Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, December 14, 2009. Retrieved 2/5/10 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/administation/eop/ceq/initiatives/oceans/interim-‐framework. 10 An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century: Final Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. (September 2004). U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. America’s Living Oceans: Charting A Course for Sea Change. (May 2003). The Pew Oceans Commission. Joint Ocean Commission Initiative: U.S. Ocean Policy Report Card. (2007). The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative. 11 Kildow, Judith. (June, 2008). Phase II Fact and Figures: Florida’s Ocean and Economies Report. p. 2. National Ocean Economics Program, Florida Oceans and Coastal Council. Tallahassee, Florida.


Recommendations

The Florida Ocean Alliance respectfully submits the following recommendations as a step in opening the dialogue on marine spatial planning in Florida. These recommendations are based on discussions at the 2010 Oceans Day Workshop in Tallahassee on March 10, 2010.

Recommendation 1 A Marine Spatial Plan for Florida should be initiated in 2010, consistent with

reports by the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate in 2010 that recommended proceeding with marine spatial planning. The marine spatial planning process should consider opportunities for industry diversification and job creation as a component of a robust and sustainable ocean and coastal economy.

Recommendation 2 The Florida Ocean Alliance and the ocean science community applaud the

recent appropriation by the Florida Legislature to provide start-up funding to initiate marine spatial planning. The state appropriation is a positive step, but additional funding will be required to complete the process. Adequate funding should be secured to pursue and complete this marine spatial planning process, either with federal, state or private sector funding, or some combination of these source funds.

Recommendation 3 The Governor and Legislature, singly or in concert, should take a leadership

role in the marine spatial planning process by convening a body of ocean and coastal stakeholders in 2010. This body should include ocean industries, state and federal government agency representatives, non-governmental organizations and representatives of the public to help advise the state as it develops a Marine Spatial Plan.

Recommendation 4 The ocean stakeholder group should be charged with developing an inventory

of the state’s ocean management issues and begin the process of spatially prioritizing the uses of Florida’s ocean and coastal assets.

Recommendation 5

A communication plan should be developed immediately to target interested groups of ocean users and engage them in the marine spatial planning process. Information should be provided in a consistent and transparent manner so ocean and coastal stakeholders can work together with both insight and foresight to plan for Florida’s ocean and coastal future.


Background

Florida’s coastal and ocean economy generates nearly $562 billion annually, making it the single most crucial part of the state’s economy. Marine spatial planning is one tool for managing and balancing the competing uses of the state’s ocean spaces and resources. Complex policy arguments in both federal and state arenas are involved in this discussion. A visionary and comprehensive Marine Spatial Plan can guide how Florida uses and benefits from its ocean resources in the future. In the absence of marine spatial planning, Florida’s ocean and coastal future is left to chance. In addition to a variety of historic uses and values, new uses of the state’s oceans are emerging, including renewable energy, aquaculture and mariculture.

The question is not whether Florida should act, but rather how soon Florida

can act to make decisions on this important public policy. Federal initiatives are underway that are pressing states to action so that a response is unavoidable. No response is tantamount to accepting national policy overtures without appropriate state input.12 An imminent national ocean policy framework means that states must coordinate with the federal government and provide meaningful stakeholder input.

It is difficult to do this without a State Marine Spatial Plan to position

Florida’s multiple and varying stakeholder needs. Florida is meeting these challenges, as confirmed by increased activity over the past year. Further, Florida’s well established tradition of leadership in coastal and ocean planning, including its aquatic areas,13 suggests its capacity to effectively manage the development of such a plan.

12 White House Council on Environmental Quality. Interim Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning. Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, December 14, 2009. Retrieved 2/5/10 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/administation/eop/ceq/initiatives/oceans/interim-‐framework. 13 See Florida Aquatic Preserves Act, 1975.


Florida Oceans Day 2010

As part of exploring the future uses of Florida’s oceans, FOA dedicated Oceans Day 2010 to this effort (see Appendix A). The day’s focus was a Workshop on “Florida’s Ocean Economy: Planning Future Uses of Ocean Spaces,” with a panel of experts from a range of stakeholder groups. The plenary speaker, Dr. Charles Ehler of UNESCO, showcased the international experience with ocean management and the process of carefully laid out steps to implement it. Additionally, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, demonstrated the Coastal and Marine Resource Assessment System that the state has developed under a recommendation from the Florida Oceans and Coastal Council as a prototype to map ocean resources and human uses.

Panelists at the workshop were asked to

comment on the process of ocean management and marine spatial planning. Responses suggest there was consensus at the Conference that Florida should pursue an ocean management plan. There may be differences in the specifics of how the plan should be funded and organized, but the need is apparent in the varying activities that Florida is experiencing at present that were mentioned by panelists. The panel also agreed on the potential economic and environmental benefits of marine spatial planning, although cautioned that the public may have varied views about what marine spatial planning can accomplish. Most agreed that the streamlining of regulation would be a positive outcome of marine spatial planning. The reliance on scientific data to help prioritize uses of the oceans was appealing to the panel, as was stakeholder education to help overcome public confusion over marine spatial planning.


The diversity of ocean and coastal stakeholder uses and interests made

participants aware of the range of ocean commercial and recreational activities occurring in the state’s oceans. Ocean industries must be a prominent partner in the marine spatial planning process, with a visionary perspective that adapts to the future and explores new technologies for responsible and sustainable ocean uses and management. (See Appendix for a list of Workshop participants and the presentation material of Dr. Charles Ehler.)

The state should initiate marine spatial planning because of its knowledge of

Florida’s ocean uses and its ability to manage the political and technical issues, while a regional body should assist with coordination of the process with other states. Initiation of a plan is critical to the economic and environmental future of Florida, and recent events have effectively raised this issue. Marine spatial planning is no longer an optional process, but rather a very real public policy initiative whose time has come. Events have overtaken the discussions of policymakers at the state level, reinforcing the need for action. Increased communication with stakeholders is needed before the information vacuum is filled with misinformation, as well as being critical to overcoming confusion in the ongoing discussions about the impact of a Marine Spatial Plan. The private sector is now aligned with the public sector in recognizing that 2010 is the time to solicit stakeholder participation and begin collaboration in a statewide marine spatial planning process. There is clearly a need for coordination of activity between state and federal initiatives.

Ultimately, a Marine Spatial Plan provides a mechanism for protecting

natural resources while maximizing and prioritizing responsible and sustainable uses of ocean spaces. As Dr. Charles Ehler summarized at the Conference: “In coastal zone management, we have done a great a job of figuring out how an area of land is affected by the sea, but we have forgotten to consider how an area of ocean is affected by the land.”14 That is the challenge for Florida and its citizens. It is an opportunity we cannot afford to ignore that will shape the future of our state’s economy and environment.

This report, which seeks to highlight how Florida might proceed as it

progresses towards ocean management, is the product of the 2010 Oceans Day Workshop. Specific recommendations are proposed for the Florida Legislature and Governor to consider as they discuss and plan for the future of Florida’s oceans and its uses. The Florida Ocean Alliance hopes to generate a healthy dialogue on this topic, to inventory recent efforts and to provide examples of how the process might proceed.

14 Ehler, Charles. (2010) Presentation at Oceans Day Workshop, Tallahassee, Florida, March 10, 2010.


Rationale for Marine Spatial Planning

Coastal and marine spatial planning is high profile today because of the increasing and potentially competing uses now being proposed for the ocean spaces, including offshore aquaculture, wind and wave power, pipelines, oil leases, other minerals mining, to name a few. According to the federal Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, a Coastal and Marine Spatial Plan provides “a more integrated, comprehensive, ecosystem-based, flexible and proactive approach to planning and managing uses and activities [of coasts and oceans].”15

Marine spatial planning is an approach to oceans and coastal planning that

improves the process by increasing efficiency and cooperation, thereby decreasing user conflicts and regulatory costs and delays. It encourages coordination instead of sector-focused decisions, fosters collaboration between federal and state governments, focuses on regional governance, relies on scientific data to make decisions and involves all stakeholders in a participatory process. The value of a Marine Spatial Plan is that it approaches the ocean management issue from both environmental and economic perspectives.16

Recently, a useful handbook on marine spatial planning has been developed

by Dr. Charles Ehler and Fanny Douvere, Marine Spatial Planning: a step-by-step approach toward ecosystem-based management.17 They define marine spatial planning as “a public process of analyzing areas to achieve ecological, economic and social objectives that are usually specified through a political process.”18 Their guide helps clarify what marine spatial planning is, how it works and compares marine spatial planning practices across the globe.

Most importantly, it lays the groundwork for how to implement a Marine

Spatial Plan in a ten-step process. The dynamic process moves along a continuum that allows marine spatial planning to adapt over time, rather than operating as a static or rigid process. As a planning tool, it complements existing practices and works in a marine environment similar to land use management on shore. Its value

15 White House Council on Environmental Quality. Interim Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning. Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, December 14, 2009. Retrieved 2/5/10 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/administation/eop/ceq/initiatives/oceans/interim-‐framework. 16 Ibid. 17 Ehler, Charles and Fanny Douvere. (2009). Marine Spatial Planning: A Step-‐by-‐Step Approach Toward Ecosystem-‐based Management. Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and Man and the Biosphere Programme. IOC Manual and Guides No. 53, ICAM Dossier No. 6. Paris: UNESCO. (English). 18 Ibid., p. 18.


results from a strategic and future orientation that leads to sustainable development. (see Figure 1)

Figure 1. A Step-by-Step Approach to Marine Spatial Planning

Source: Ehler, Charles and Fanny Douvere. (2009). Marine Spatial Planning: A Step-‐by-‐Step Approach Toward Ecosystem-‐based Management. Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and Man and the Biosphere Programme. IOC Manual and Guides No. 53, ICAM Dossier No. 6. Paris: UNESCO. (English).

The current and potential future uses of marine spaces are many and varied but they can be geographically placed in a Marine Spatial Plan. Further, this process is appealing because it provides multiple benefits, including the integration of benefits across multiple ecosystem levels (i.e. ecological or environmental, economic and social). In the simplest of terms, marine spatial planning is a problem-solving tool that works by fostering collaboration among multiple and


sometimes competing users of marine spaces, based on the best available scientific data.19 It organizes the range of sectors we find in ocean spaces and merges them into one unified perspective that respects each sector while managing to overcome conflicts among the sectors and their marine uses. The European experience with marine spatial planning illustrates the utility of this approach as it pragmatically and strategically solves problems of marine spaces both for the present and future.20 Similar positive results have been experienced by U.S. coastal states that have initiated a comprehensive marine spatial planning process.

Federal and State Activities on Ocean Management

The congruence of federal and state actions underway on oceans management

cannot be overemphasized, in part because of their widespread impact on the state’s ocean resources, as well as the expectation of action from the federal government. In light of the issues in recent state and federal reports and the ongoing policy discussion, there is a need for a unified approach to planning for ocean management in Florida and for the allocation of these finite resources. The timing for marine spatial planning is now, not in five to ten years, if Florida is to effectively prioritize its ocean resources and make deliberate choices about their uses.

Current federal activity is proceeding independently of Florida progressing

with its own ocean management process. The state will benefit from providing solid leadership and beginning its own ocean management initiative as a complement to the federal initiative. Florida is in the unique situation of being in two regional alliances---the Gulf of Mexico Alliance and the Governors’ South Atlantic Alliance—which presents a conundrum for how to provide a unified approach to managing the state’s resources. Florida must take a leadership role to advance a comprehensive approach to marine spatial planning. Without that leadership, Florida may be disadvantaged as it falls behind federal efforts and visionary states that have moved forward with marine spatial planning as a tool to grow and sustain their ocean and coastal economies.

In addition to governmental efforts, there have been several complementary

developments among regional alliances and non-governmental groups, as well as at the state agency level. These activities have illuminated the discussion on uses of the ocean and are detailed below.

19 Ibid., p. 21. 20Douvere, Fanny. “The importance of marine spatial planning in advancing ecosystem-‐based sea use management.” Marine Policy 32 (2008) 762-‐771.


State Activity on Ocean Management

Florida House of Representatives

During the 2010 legislative session, the Florida House of Representatives sought to reduce Florida’s dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels while protecting Florida’s environment and creating new technology jobs for the state’s economy. Draft legislation on oil and gas drilling was prepared by the House Select Council, but no action was taken in 2010.21 The proposed bill was modeled after HB 1219 from the 2009 session that would remove the ban on oil and gas leases and permits for energy exploration and production in Florida’s territorial waters. It would create leasing and permitting processes that establish protections for the environment, military activities and other interests. The bill was preceded by a comprehensive examination of Florida’s ban on oil and gas development. Experts also provided testimony to the House Select Council, and a risk assessment was prepared. Depending on the outcome of political discussions, this bill may result in future legislation on this same issue.

The appropriation by the Florida Legislature of $250,000 for development of

a web-based marine mapping tool is a positive step in 2010 for providing a user-friendly way to view mapped information useful for implementing a marine spatial planning process via the internet. As part of this effort, web applications such as MarineMap provide marine stakeholders a means to interact directly with mapped information and receive immediate feedback on how program goals are affected, e.g., what proportion of an area is devoted to particular uses. egh.com

Florida Senate

In November 2009, the Florida Senate President requested a comprehensive review of the implications of offshore drilling in Florida waters. He asked for the assistance of the Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida (Century Commission) to evaluate a legislative proposal on oil drilling and gather evidence for the Legislature, along with the help of the Institute for Energy Systems, Economics and Sustainability at Florida State University and the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research. The Century Commission report is now available22 and details what is known about impacts of oil and gas drilling and

21 Introduced April 15, 2010 in Florida House of Representatives. No consensus on draft bill, but suggest future legislation, based on information gathered, in letter from Dean Cannon, Chair of the House Policy Council, to House Speaker Larry Cretul, April 16, 2010. 22 Potential Impacts of Oil & Gas Exploration in the Gulf: A report to the Century Commission for a Sustainable

Port Dolphin Project http:www.hoegh.com


which assumptions are invalid or lacking evidence. It addresses regulatory issues, resources, economic benefits, energy independence, environmental risks, permitting and accident response.

A parallel initiative, The Florida

Symposia on Offshore Energy, was undertaken by Florida State University in Tallahassee. Panels of experts provided testimony on offshore energy issues.23 The first proceeding in November 2009 focused on technical, financial and regulatory issues associated with oil and gas exploration and drilling. The February 2010 symposium provided policymakers with the ecological impacts of energy development in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and an overview of state and federal environmental regulation of those impacts.

Finally, a bill on oil drilling was filed

in the 2010 legislative session but was not heard in committee. The public debate is still underway and a consensus has not been reached on how Florida should proceed.

The recent Gulf of Mexico drilling accident has raised fears about damage to

beach and coastal industries and concerns that positive job and other economic gains may not outweigh injury to fragile coastlines.24 How this oil spill accident is handled may ultimately affect provisions for offshore drilling in the federal energy bill under consideration in Congress, as well as state legislative activity in Florida and elsewhere. Whether long-term political and environmental damage occurs, the spill has certainly raised legitimate questions about risks from future offshore drilling on the nation’s coasts.

Florida. (February 2010). Prepared by the Collins Center for Public Policy, cited as Century Commission. 23 MacDonald, I., Ruhl, J. B., Cartes, D., Crotty, C., Mooney, C., Pasquarelli, D., & Simmons, M. (Eds.). (2010) Proceedings of The Florida Symposium on Offshore Energy: Part II: Inshore Challenges of Offshore Energy Prospects. Tallahassee, Florida, February 1, 2010. Special Report. Institute for Energy Systems, Economics and Sustainability (IESES): The Florida State University. Part I was held on November 2, 2009 on Oil and Gas. http://www.ieses.fsu.edu/Symposium_II/Proceedings. 24 Hargreaves, Steve. (April 23, 2010). Sunken oil rig could shift drilling debate, CNN. Retrieved April 26, 2010 from http://money.cnn.com/2010/04/23/news/economy/oil_rig.index.htm. In the wake of the Gulf oil spill, Florida’s U.S. Senator Nelson has filed S.3308 to hold off any new oil and gas drilling until a federal investigation is complete and a report is issued documenting how to prevent accidents, in order to protect Florida’s environment and economy. (Senator Nelson letter to Florida Ocean Alliance, May 13, 2010.)


Federal Activity on Ocean Management

As mentioned earlier, ocean governance is not a new policy issue, but has

been discussed since 2004 in the reports of the Pew Oceans Commission, the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative.25 Their recommendations for ocean management prompted President Obama to establish the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force in June of 2009, with a directive to formulate a national ocean policy. In a recent study of marine spatial planning stakeholders for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),26 states dominate the nation’s marine spatial planning efforts, in concert with a range of collaborators, from private-public partnerships to academia and other organizations. This NOAA stakeholder study found that state and local experiences form the basis for national and regional efforts on ocean management and that states are leading these efforts.27 While regional organizations may well convene federal and state stakeholders, they lack technical resources to adequately coordinate data from both levels of government. Most striking is that potential oil and gas drilling were identified as the main catalysts for marine plans in the West and Northeast over two decades ago.

While the decades may differ, the need for marine spatial planning has never

been greater. Marine spatial planning is critical for coastal states that depend on ocean and coastal assets and industries for their citizens’ quality of life and economic prosperity. The President’s recent announcement of changes in federal approaches to offshore drilling is challenging states to determine how best to manage their ocean resources today while planning for future uses. Two other issues identified in the NOAA study may also impact the progress of marine spatial planning--setting priorities for conservation areas and sediment mining for beach nourishment projects. The study also found that aquaculture/mariculture and energy issues will drive marine spatial planning in the future.28 Florida’s oceans are experiencing all of these uses so will also be faced with choices for their placement as the state moves into the future.

25An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century: Final Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. (September 2004). U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. America’s Living Oceans: Charting A Course for Sea Change. (May 2003). The Pew Oceans Commission. Joint Ocean Commission Initiative: U.S. Ocean Policy Report Card. (2007). The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative. 26Eastern Research Group, Inc. (January 22, 2010). Marine Spatial Planning Stakeholder Analysis. Conducted for NOAA Coastal Services Center, Charleston, S.C., cited as EAR. 27 Ibid., p. 4. 28 Ibid., p. 17.


The White House Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force issued a Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning in December 2009. 29 Comments have been filed and a final framework is due for release in 2010. The draft framework was shared across the nation, with public input in six regional public meetings and at 24 expert roundtables, but unfortunately, none were held in Florida. An Executive Order may be issued in 2010 to add more clout to the Task Force recommendations.

This federal report describes a five year

process, with steps to follow by designated regions in setting up and implementing a Marine Spatial Plan. As mentioned earlier, Florida is divided between two regions. The state’s west coast is part of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance and the east coast is part of the Governors’ South Atlantic Alliance, which are described below.

Elements of the plan are to include a

regional overview and scope of planning area; a regulatory context; a regional assessment; objectives, strategies, methods and mechanisms for the plan; compliance mechanisms; monitoring and evaluation mechanisms; and a dispute resolution process.30 Two points are noteworthy about what the plan should include: it is to be based on (1) the best available science and (2) extensive stakeholder input. The regional body is to review scientific data from regional science advisory bodies on human uses, ecosystem conditions and ecosystem services in order to identify future use scenarios. These scenarios and the supporting environmental impacts form the basis for the plan, which is subject to “appropriate public review and comment.”31 Once public comment is completed and incorporated into the final plan, it is to be submitted to the National Ocean Council for national consistency certification.

On an ongoing basis, the regional bodies will be responsible for monitoring

and assessing the effectiveness of the plan, based on regional performance measures of national and regional goals and objectives, making necessary adjustments consistent with performance effectiveness. Performance measures are to include conservation and socioeconomic measures. Regions can adapt to new science and

29 White House Council on Environmental Quality. Interim Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning. Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, December 14, 2009. Retrieved 2/5/10 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/administation/eop/ceq/initiatives/oceans/interim-‐framework. 30 Ibid., p.17. 31 Ibid., p. 16.


technology during the implementation process.32 The report states that plans are intended to provide “a framework for improved coordination and cooperation among Federal, State, local, and tribal enforcement agencies. . . .”33

States with a Marine Spatial Plan in place are much better positioned to influence this regional process, as well as to ensure that local and state perspectives are incorporated into plans. Without this leverage, it is easy to imagine a state being less influential in the process. Obviously, this is one important reason for Florida to begin the marine spatial planning process for itself, not as a bifurcated state, but as one unified state with common economic and environmental issues on both its coasts. More importantly, a Florida Marine Spatial Plan can be used as a framework for decision-making that protects and expands the Florida ocean and coastal economy. The marine spatial planning process should include opportunities to diversify industries and create jobs as part of a sustainable ocean and coastal economy. While a national effort is necessary to coordinate the regions, it will be difficult for a state like Florida, with significant coastal and ocean issues, to participate fully in the process without its own plan and without an opportunity for significant stakeholder participation in the process.

The California experience with marine spatial planning may shed light on

potential pitfalls in the process, although it was not a comprehensive process of marine spatial planning, but rather a designation of Marine Protected Areas, thus not including all major ocean uses. As California’s marine plan developed, it confronted challenges that involved not only science but also political negotiation and input from local industries.34 Similar conflicts may occur in Florida as it begins a marine spatial planning process. While the process is intended to be science-based, political influences are inescapable and will have to be addressed as they arise, just as they were in California.

In related federal activity, the Alternative Energy Program in the U.S.

Minerals Management Service (MMS) has agreed to establish a federal/state task force in Florida to coordinate alternative ocean energy activity on federal submerged lands, and where there may be a future connection, activity on state submerged lands. Similar joint task forces exist in other coastal states to help coordinate alternative energy activity. In a letter received March, 2010, 35 the MMS agreed to grant the request of the Secretary, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, for a federal/state task force to address leasing for and development of renewable energy off Florida, with particular attention for secure energy development in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) offshore Florida, using the Gulf Stream current.

32 Ibid., pp. 16-‐23. 33 Ibid., p. 23. 34 Stokstad, Erik. “Science meets politics off California’s coast.” Science 327 (March 26, 2010) 1574-‐1575. 35 Personal communication, James F. Murley, April 2010.


Example of Natural Resource Mapping Figure 2. Oyster Mapping and Monitoring in Apalachicola Bay

Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Report 206-‐1381, p. 19, http://www.usgs.gov.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey Report 206-‐1381, pg. 25, http://www.usgs.gov.

Oysters are pivotal organisms because oyster reefs provide critical habitat that benefit numerous other organisms. The reefs formed by the oysters provide shelter and hiding places for numerous species of crabs and other fish, feeding habitat for juvenile and adult mobile and sessile species. Oysters consume algae and other water-‐borne nutrients by filtering water at a rate of up to five liters per hour, thus serving as a natural water-‐filtering system.

Example of Mapping for a Marine Spatial Plan Geophysical Mapping of Oyster

Habitats in Shallow Estuary Apalachicola Bay, Florida

Geophysical Mapping of Oyster Habitats in Shallow Estuary Apalachicola Bay, Florida

Geophysical Mapping of Oyster Habitats in Shallow Estuary Apalachicola Bay, Florida


Other Related Activity on Marine Spatial Planning

Florida Oceans and Coastal Council (FOCC)

The FOCC has the responsibility for coordinating coastal and marine research in Florida. It sponsored the development of an assessment system for mapping ocean uses and ecosystems. The Coastal and Marine Resource Assessment (CAMRA) System was developed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, and provides a prototype for mapping ocean resources. It is available on FOCC’s website (www.floridaoceanscouncil.org) and is a fundamental planning tool for visualizing marine spatial planning.

CAMRA has the capability to provide managers with a means to display, on a

geospatial basis, large amounts of integrated information on ocean resources from industry, government, academic institutions and non-profit groups. It is critical to the success of marine spatial planning because it allows users to view information on usage patterns of oceans and coastal resources, natural resource features (e.g., habitat, bathymetry), current locations, proposed oceans and coastal research and monitoring infrastructure, coastal observing system, industrial and commercial activities, shipping and recreational transit patterns and socioeconomic trends of ocean and coastal resources and economy. It was used to help site the Port Dolphin Project, the proposed natural gas pipeline facility in the Gulf waters off Port Manatee.36 (see Figure 3)

36 Florida Oceans and Coastal Council, CAMRA, http://www.floridaoceanscouncil.org.


Figure 3. Port Dolphin Location & Pipeline Illustration, Offshore Port Manatee

Regional

Alliances

The Port Dolphin Project

The Port Dolphin Project is a liquid natural gas (LNG) facility in development about 30 miles offshore of Tampa Bay. The facility, scheduled to be completed in 2013, would allow offshore unloading of liquefied natural gas that would be regasified and shipped nearly 30 miles by pipeline to Port Manatee, where it would connect to the state’s natural gas pipeline. Accurate and timely spatial data were critical to siting the facility and routing the pipeline while minimizing impacts to sensitive marine habitats.

Port Dolphin Project, http:www.hoegh.com



Port Dolphin Location

Port Dolphin Pipeline Illustration


The nation has six regions for handling ocean management—the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, Governors’ South Atlantic Alliance, Northeast Regional Ocean Council, Great Lakes Regional Collaboration, West Coast Governors’ Agreement on Ocean Health and Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean. As mentioned earlier, Florida is a member of two regional alliances, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance and the Governors’ South Atlantic Alliance. Both alliances support the application of marine spatial planning to the states in their alliance. They are both moving ahead with Action Plans, although the Gulf of Mexico Alliance is further ahead in its efforts because it began several years earlier than the Governors’ South Atlantic Alliance.

President Obama has signed budget allocations

of $10 million for regional ocean efforts in the FY 2010 budget, as well as proposed $20 million in FY 2011 for regional ocean partnerships and planning grants for marine zoning. So the regional alliances across the country may well have access to funding for their endeavors that could impact states. Because of potential federal funding, the two regional alliances may prove critical for funding efforts in their respective states. 37

Depending on perspectives, Florida’s placement in two alliances may double

its importance or divide its impact between two bodies. But regardless of the impact of being a member of two regional organizations, it is clear that Florida needs to position itself as an important ocean state that is working towards a unified, comprehensive system of ocean management.

Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA)

37 Winter, Allison. (February 5, 2010). NOAA Grant Proposal Could Launch Marine Zoning, New York Times. Retrieved February 8, 2010 from http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/02/05/05greenwire-‐noaa-‐grant-‐proposal-‐could-‐launch.

Regional Alliances in U.S.

1. Gulf of Mexico Alliance 2. Governors’ South Atlantic Alliance 3. Northeast Regional Ocean Council 4. Great Lakes Regional Collaboration 5. West Coast Governors’ Agreement on Ocean Health 6. Mid-‐Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean

Map 1. Gulf of Mexico Region


The GOMA was formed in 2004 to unify the Gulf states (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas) in protecting the human and natural resources in and around the Gulf. This partnership is supported by 13 federal agencies and has received high marks for effectiveness in the annual U.S. Ocean Policy Report Cards.38 The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative ranked national progress on regional and state governance with a grade of “A-,” due in part to the significant progress in GOMA and West Coast regions.39 They noted the need for strengthening existing initiatives with expanded state commitment and federal support.

Priorities range from water quality for healthy beaches and seafood to wetland and coastal conservation and restoration, habitat mapping, environmental education and coastal community resiliency. GOMA has completed a three year Governors’ Action Plan and has recently started a second five year plan. The Action Plan and the more detailed supporting documents lay out goals for the five state priorities and the steps by which these goals will be achieved.40

GOMA’s teams include water quality, ecosystem integration and assessment, nutrient priority, coastal resiliency, habitat conservation and restoration and environmental education. Florida is leading the water quality team and has representatives on the other issue teams. The region is facing multiple pressures on its resources, including natural, environmental, economic and cultural, and needs to collaborate to develop regional action to respond to these issues. A coordinated response will be more effective than a state by state response, especially since similar challenges confront these five states. Collective action is necessary to deal with the region’s connected coastal watersheds, fisheries and ocean currents, as well as similar habitats.41 Examples of accomplishments by GOMA include a base model for mercury cycling in the Gulf, a database inventory of existing coastal and marine habitat-related information, a nutrient criteria research framework, coastal

38Gulf of Mexico Alliance. Retrieved March 31, 2010 from http://gulfofmexicoalliance.org/ 39 U.S. Ocean Policy Report Card 2007. Retrieved April 1, 2010 from www.jointoceancommission.org . 40 Gulf of Mexico Alliance. Retrieved March 31, 2010 from http://gulfofmexicoalliance.org/ Personal Communication with Steve Wolfe, FDEP, March 31, 2010. 41 Personal Communication with Becky Prado, FDEP, March 2010.

Gulf of Mexico Alliance


resiliency index, sea level rise modeling in two areas along the northern Gulf coast and environmental education for ocean literacy.42

Governors’ South Atlantic Alliance (SAA)

SAA is a partnership of four southeastern states (Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia) formed in 2009. Because the SAA was formed several years after GOMA, it has not progressed as far. The first SAA Action Plan will be issued in September 2010. It will be updated every five years and focus on four priority areas: disaster resilient communities, working waterfronts, clean coastal and ocean waters and healthy ecosystems. State teams have not yet been identified.43

The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

TNC, a nonprofit conservation organization, is heavily engaged in marine spatial planning efforts. Their support for the process is based on achieving transparency and accountability through bringing all stakeholders into the process. It includes:

“bringing together diverse oceans users, creating a comprehensive picture of the ocean, providing a forum for proactive discussion and informed decision-making, providing a coordinated way to allocate marine spaces to simultaneously achieve ecological, economic and social goals, . . . giving all ocean users a seat at the table and common access to tools and information.”44

In 2009, TNC released a report that detailed best practices for marine

spatial planning.45 The report is based on a workshop that the organization convened in June 3, 2009.46 It provides advice on geographic planning boundaries, planning scale and resolution, data collection and management, multi-objective planning and interactive decision support. TNC also organized a South Atlantic Marine Spatial Planning Workshop in October 2009 in Charleston, S.C. This regional workshop was designed to share information on marine spatial planning and integrated ocean management among the states in the South Atlantic region.

42 Personal communication with Phil Bass, EPA, May 2010. 43Governors South Atlantic Alliance, Retrieved February 25, 2010 from http://www.southatlanticalliance.org/work.htm. Personal communication with Becky Prado, FDEP, April 2010. 44 The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved March 3, 2010 from http://www.nature.org/initatives/marine/strategies/art30339.html. 45 The Nature Conservancy. (2009). Best Practices for Marine Spatial Planning, Arlington, Va. 46 Marine Spatial Planning in Practice: Lessons Learned and Best Practices. (2009). Workshop at the Center for Ocean Health at the University of California, Santa Cruz.


The Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition (FCOC)

FCOC, a coalition of seven nonprofit conservation organizations, is also involved with marine spatial planning. Their goal is to conserve, protect and restore Florida’s coastal and marine environments. They have scheduled a Coastal and Ocean Conference in Tallahassee on June 18, 2010, to discuss marine spatial planning, the tools necessary, stakeholders involved and leadership policies.47

Center for Ocean Energy Technology (COET)

COET is a university center at Florida Atlantic University that is developing alternative ocean energy using the Gulf Stream off south Florida’s coast. They are hosting a conference on “Renewable Ocean Energy and the Marine Environment: Responsible Stewardship for a Sustainable Future” on November 3-5, 2010, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The event is being co-sponsored with the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA). SECOORA is involved across the southeast region of the U.S. with monitoring oceans activity. It coordinates coastal and ocean observing activities in the southeastern states and facilitates dialogue among stakeholders. It is one of 11 regional associations established nationwide through the Integrated Ocean Observing System.48

Florida Coastal Ocean Observing System Consortium (FL COOS)

The FL COOS consists of 18 public and private sector organizations that are dedicated to developing an integrated and sustained Coastal Ocean Observing System (COOS) for Florida waters (extending out to the Exclusive Economic Zone). A COOS is an end-to-end system of observations, data management and models to better describe, understand and forecast the coastal ocean environment. By applying local expertise, cutting-edge research and high-tech instruments, a COOS can provide essential information to support a Marine Spatial Plan. A robust network of land-based, ocean-based and space-based sensors and instruments can help monitor, understand, forecast and preserve Florida’s ocean and coastal resources and protect the safety and security of the state’s citizens and visitors.49

47 http://flcoastalandocean.org 48 http://coet.fau.edu and http://www.secoora.org 49 http://www.marine.usf.edu/flcoos

Port Dolphin Project http:www.hoegh.com


Principles of Ocean Management and Marine Spatial Planning

As a transition to undertaking marine spatial planning, principles must be

articulated that have a common appeal to users of ocean spaces. Fortunately, advocates of ocean management have developed overarching principles to help guide the structure of ocean management.50 These principles help build consensus on the need for managing multiple and often competing uses of the oceans and underscore the legitimacy of such actions.

Nevill51 has articulated five such principles that form the theoretical

underpinnings for ocean management:

1) ECOLOGICAL PROTECTION of ocean ecosystems so they are preserved for future generations.

2) GOOD GOVERNANCE so that the process is inclusive of all stakeholders, transparent, accountable, as well as cost efficient and effective.

3) RESOURCE MANAGEMENT that respects stakeholders’ rights and responsibilities, takes account of the market and the impacts of growth and provides for adaptive management.

4) COMMON INHERITANCE of mankind that recognizes the resources of

ocean spaces for the world’s population.

5) PEACEFUL COOPERATION of nations to protect the oceans of the world through common objectives.

50 Nevill, Jon. “Ocean management: principles of good governance. An examination of hierarchical structure within the core principles of national and international agreements and similar instruments relating to ocean management.” (August 29, 2004). 51 Ibid., pp. 2-‐3.


Principles for Florida In order to develop a leadership role within the nation, Florida needs to bring

its stakeholders together under an umbrella of commonly agreed upon principles for ocean management. Within the above overarching principles, specific principles for Florida’s oceans can be formulated. It is important to understand the challenges and political shortcomings that such principles may engender as Florida moves ahead to develop a framework for ocean management and key principles for marine spatial planning. Based on Nevill’s principles above, we propose five key principles for the State of Florida to consider as it builds stakeholder consensus and develops a Marine Spatial Plan.

1) Florida’s natural resources need to be preserved for future generations. While

this is critical, it also means that the economic viability of Florida’s ocean industries must be maintained, requiring priorities for commercial and recreational ocean uses that are balanced with conservation.

2) The process of developing ocean management in Florida requires a healthy, transparent process that includes all stakeholders and that is cost efficient.

3) Adaptive management is crucial to moving ahead and incorporating changes into the marine spatial planning process as the environment requires different approaches and as the public responds to shifting needs.

4) The state recognizes the value of its ocean resources to all the nation’s citizens, not just to the citizens of Florida, and also to the state’s international neighbors in nearby Latin and Caribbean countries.

5) Florida has an obligation to be a wise steward for its oceans and their offshore resources and to maintain uses that can aid the state and nation without damaging nearby waters and resources of other nations.

Florida’s challenge is to transform opportunities for future uses of the state’s ocean spaces into a means to drive economic growth while protecting its marine and coastal natural resources. By doing so, it will insure that future Floridians will also enjoy and benefit from the state’s oceans.

Key Principles for a Florida Marine Spatial Plan • Natural Resources Preservation • Transparent, Inclusive Process • Adaptive Management • Universal Value of Oceans • Stewardship of Oceans


Appendices

APPENDIX A - Oceans Day Workshop Agenda APPENDIX B – Biographies of Panelists APPENDIX C - Workshop Participants APPENDIX D - PowerPoint Presentation by Dr. Charles Ehler


Appendix A - Oceans Day Workshop Agenda

Agenda for Workshop Florida Oceans Day, March 10, 2010

Florida’s Ocean Economy: Planning for Future Uses of Ocean Spaces Old Senate Chambers, Historic Capitol Building, 2d Floor

Purpose of Workshop: To discuss two themes with Florida Stakeholders:

(1) Planning for Uses of Florida’s Oceans and

(2) The Ocean Economy

in the context of possible choices for developing uses of Florida’s oceans Morning Discussion (10:30 am to 12:30 pm)

I. Welcome on Behalf of Florida Ocean Alliance (David McDonald)

II. Introduction to Workshop (Jim Murley)

III. Introduction of Plenary Speaker (John Ogden)

IV. Plenary Speaker: Dr. Charles Ehler, UNESCO

V. Demonstration of Resources Assessment (Gil McRae, FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute)

VI. Panel Discussion

Laura Geselbracht, The Nature Conservancy, Moderator William Sloger, CSA International Lee Edmiston, Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection-‐CAMA Dave Mica, Florida Petroleum Council David McDonald, Florida Ports Council Rob Kramer, International Game Fish Association Janet Bowman, The Nature Conservancy

Jerry Sansom, Organized Fishermen of Florida


VII. Wrap Up and Adjourn (Jim Murley)

Appendix B – Biographies of Workshop Panelists

Florida Ocean Alliance Workshop Florida Oceans Day, March 10, 2010 Biographies of Speaker and Panelists

Plenary Speaker Charles (Bud) Ehler is the President of Ocean Visions, a consulting company specializing in integrated coastal and ocean management and marine spatial planning. He works in Paris, France, primarily as a consultant to UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and the Man & the Biosphere Programme, and other international organizations, national governments, and non-governmental organizations. Before moving to Paris in 2005, he worked as a senior executive for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for 27 years, leading national and international programs in integrated coastal management, strategic environmental assessment, marine pollution monitoring and assessment, oil spill response and natural resource damage assessment. He worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development from 1973-78 and taught regional planning and natural resources management at the University of Michigan, the University of California at Los Angeles, and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He was the Marine Vice-Chair of IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas from 2000-2005. In 2007, he received an award from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for his work on coastal adaptation and its contribution to the award of the Nobel Prize to the IPCC. He is the author of over 90 publications, including most recently a UNESCO guide to marine spatial planning. Panel Moderator: Laura Geselbracht is Senior Marine Scientist with The Nature Conservancy (TNC). She has over twenty years of professional experience in the areas of environmental/conservation science, planning and policy. In her work with TNC, Ms. Geselbracht has headed up development of a marine site prioritization framework for Florida, the marine component of Florida's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy and a marine gap assessment for Florida. Prior to this, Ms. Geselbracht headed up TNC’s Everglades Large-scale Conservation Area and played a key role building support for ballot initiatives that have contributed more than $225 million to conservation land acquisition in South Florida. Most recently, Ms. Geselbracht conducted a sea level rise analysis of coastal Hernando County using the Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model. Ms. Geselbracht holds a master's degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington and a bachelor's degree in Aquatic Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.


Panelists CSA: William Sloger, M.S., P.E., has over 20 years of experience specializing in the project management and production of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents. He has managed large multidisciplinary teams that have completed Environmental Impact Statements for projects covering a wide range of activities, including dredging, Navy operations, and construction. Mr. Sloger has also written, reviewed, or supervised the preparation of numerous Environmental Assessments. Mr. Sloger also has extensive experience with other federal laws, including the Coastal Zone Management Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Clean Water Act. Prior to joining CSA, Mr. Sloger was Head of the NEPA Compliance Section of Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast. His responsibilities included managing the environmental planning staff and its workload, preparing and presenting reports on various topics to government decision-makers, and coordinating with federal, state, and local agencies.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection: Lee Edmiston is Director of the Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (CAMA). Before coming to CAMA, Mr. Edmiston was the research coordinator for the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve. He received his master's degree from the FSU Department of Oceanography in 1979. His thesis was on zooplankton of the Apalachicola Bay System. He has worked on Apalachicola River and Bay issues for 30 years. He has conducted research at the reserve for 13 years, including several resource inventories on the river and bay. He also has worked for such Florida agencies as the Department of Natural Resources and Florida Fish and the Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Florida Petroleum Council: David Mica is Executive Director of the Florida Petroleum Council (FPC), a position he has held since 1985. The Florida Petroleum Council is a division of the American Petroleum Institute, a trade association with more than 400 members representing all areas of the petroleum industry, including most of the nation’s major oil companies. During his tenure with the FPC, Mr. Mica has worked with Florida government on diverse industry issues, such as the Florida Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Program, Florida's landmark Used Oil Recycling Program, and a comprehensive rewrite of the state's motor fuel tax laws, which led to unsurpassed revenue collections for the state's coffers and relief of regulatory strangleholds for the industry. Professionally, he has served on various state committees and boards, including the Big Cypress Advisory Committee, in assisting the siting of exploration of petroleum resources, and as a member of the Clean Fuels Florida Commission. He currently serves as a member of the Florida State Emergency Response Commission. He is also the co-Chair of Associated Industries of Florida Energy Council and committees of the Florida Chamber. In 2003, he attained the American Society of Association Executives professional designation, Certified Professional Executive. Mr. Mica graduated from the University of Florida in 1977.

Florida Seaport Transportation Economic Development Council (FSTED): David McDonald is currently Vice Chairman of FSTED and past Chair of the Florida Ports Council.


He is Executive Director of Port Manatee, a position he has held since 1992. During his tenure at Port Manatee, more than $200 million in port improvements have been completed, solidifying Port Manatee as one of Florida’s fastest growing seaports with a regional economic impact of $2.3 billion annually, supporting more than 20,000 jobs statewide. Mr. McDonald is past chairman of the Florida Ports Council, a position he held for 10 years. He also served as chairman of the Florida Ports Council’s Environmental Management Committee and is currently chairman of the Florida Ocean Alliance. Mr. McDonald earned his accreditation as a Professional Port Manager (PPM®) in 1996 from the American Association of Port Authorities and was one of the nation’s first five port managers to receive the distinction. In 2008, he completed a three-year term serving former U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta and subsequently Mary Peters on the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council. McDonald holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of South Florida and a bachelor’s degree from Florida International University. IGFA: Rob Kramer is President of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), a 70 year old world renowned not-for-profit organization committed to the conservation of game fish and the promotion of responsible, ethical, angling practices through science, education, rule making and record keeping. He has been fishing all his life and has fished the waters of six different continents. Prior to coming to IGFA, he worked for Florida’s Division of Marine Fisheries where he disseminated fisheries research data to the fishing public and represented recreational fishermen on various regional and national fishery management bodies. Mr. Kramer is also the founder of Fish Florida, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides fishing opportunities and conservation information to Florida’s citizens. In addition to his duties with IGFA, he sits on several advisory councils and Boards including the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, the Center for Coastal Conservation and the Florida Ocean Alliance. The Nature Conservancy: Janet Bowman is Associate Director of Government Relations at The Nature Conservancy. Before coming to The Nature Conservancy, she was general counsel for 1000 Friends of Florida. She was also an attorney for the Florida Senate, Committee on Comprehensive Planning, Local & Military Affairs. During her tenure with the Legislature, Ms. Bowman served as staff attorney for the Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations, where she focused on local government issues. She has served as an assistant general counsel at the Department of Environmental Protection and practiced environmental law as an associate with the law firm of Messer, Vickers, Caparello, French & Madsen.

Organized Fishermen of Florida: Jerry Sansom is currently the Executive Director of the Organized Fishermen of Florida, an organization which represents commercial fishermen in the State of Florida. Mr. Sansom has over 32 years of experience in working on issues facing ocean and coastal resources. He has worked as a governmental affairs consultant to Northrop Grumman Corp. and numerous cities in east central Florida. He is a member of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Governor’s Ocean Policy Board, Florida Inland Navigation District and Governor’s Coastal Resources Citizens Advisory Committee. He is currently a Trustee of the Gulf and South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation.


Appendix C - Workshop Participants List

ORGANIZATION AND NAME EMAIL ADDRESSES AQUAFIBER TECHNOLOGIES, CORP.

Duane De Freese [email protected]

CARIBBEAN CONSERVATION CORPORATION

Gary Appelson [email protected]

COLLINS CENTER Tim Center [email protected]

CONTINENTAL SHELF ASSOCIATES, INC.

Will Sloger [email protected]

FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY

Jim Murley [email protected]

FLORIDA COASTAL AND OCEAN COALITION

Lindsey Pickel [email protected]

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS Sheri Coven [email protected]

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Karen Bareford [email protected] Seth Blitch [email protected]

Stephanie Cup [email protected]

Lee Edmiston [email protected] Larry Null [email protected]

Rebecca Prado [email protected] Linda Sedlacek [email protected]

Jonathan Watson [email protected] Steve Wolfe [email protected]

FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTS

Bruce Ritchie [email protected]

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Gil McRae [email protected]

Nick Wiley [email protected]

FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Adam Blalock, Atty. (General Government Policy Council) [email protected]


Workshop Participants, Continued ORGANIZATIONS EMAIL ADDRESSES FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY/

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

John Ogden [email protected]

FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY George Maul [email protected]

FLORIDA OCEAN ALLIANCE

Lenore Alpert [email protected]

FLORIDA PETROLEUM COUNCIL

David Mica [email protected]

FLORIDA PORTS COUNCIL

David McDonald [email protected]

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY Donna Christie [email protected]

GREENBERG TRAURIG

Todd Sumner [email protected]

HUBBS SEA WORLD RESEARCH INSTITUTE

J. B. Kump [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL GAME & FISH ASSOCIATION Rob Kramer [email protected]

LAMPL HERBERT CONSULTANTS

Vikki Butler vlbutler@lampl-‐herbert.com

MOTE MARINE LABORATORY

Frank Alcock [email protected] Kumar Mahadevan [email protected]

Richard Pierce [email protected]

MULLER ASSOCIATES Jim Muller [email protected]

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

Janet Bowman [email protected] Cara Byington [email protected]

Laura Geselbracht [email protected]

ORGANIZED FISHERMEN OF FLORIDA

Jerry Sansom [email protected]


Workshop Participants, Continued ORGANIZATIONS EMAIL ADDRESSES REEF RELIEF Paul Johnson [email protected]

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LINES

Richard Pruitt [email protected]

TAMPA BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM

Holly Greening [email protected]

UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC

AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION

Charles "Bud" Ehler [email protected]

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA/SEAGRANT

Karl Havens [email protected]

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI/ROSENSTIEL SCHOOL OF MARINE

AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE

Peter Ortner [email protected]

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA Rod Casto [email protected]


Appendix D – Dr. Charles Ehler’s Powerpoint Presentation

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